Pumas retain pack to test Wallabies

Updated September 11, 2012 19:03:02

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has kept faith with the forward pack that made life difficult for New Zealand last week and made just two changes to his backline for the Rugby Championship clash against Australia on Saturday.

Martin Landajo has replaced Nicolas Vergallo at half-back for the Skilled Park encounter on the Gold Coast, while Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino takes the place of Martin Rodriguez at full-back.

Both Vergallo and Rodriguez were dropped to the reserves bench.

It was little surprise Phelan retained the forward pack that held the All Blacks in check for more than 65 minutes in Wellington last Saturday before the world champions snatched a 21-5 win courtesy of two late tries.

The Wallabies have struggled in the forward exchanges during the Rugby Championship, which the Pumas are likely to exploit with their traditional scrummaging power combined with a ruthless defence around the fringes and at the breakdown.

Their backline defence should also present a problem for the misfiring Wallabies' backs, who have failed to score a try in their three matches in the Rugby Championship and appear to be struggling for rhythm and creative inspiration.

The Pumas backs were praised by the All Blacks after the Wellington Test, with their drift system quickly shutting down the space they appeared to leave wide, while they barely missed a one-on-one tackle.

Phelan resorted to a traditional 4-3 split on his bench after choosing five forwards and two backs last week.

Winger Juan Imhoff will cover the outside backs from the bench, while versatile prop Marcos Ayerza has dropped out of the 22-man squad altogether.

Argentina: Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Gonzalo Camacho, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Horacio Agulla, Juan Martin Hernandez, Martin Landajo, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Julio Farias Cabello, Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo, Eusebio Guinazu, Rodrigo Roncero

Reserves: Agustin Creevy, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Leonardo Senatore, Thomas Leonardi, Nicolas Vergallo, Martin Rodriguez, Juan Imhoff

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia, argentina

First posted September 11, 2012 19:03:02

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Reds retain back row duo

Posted July 12, 2011 15:45:00

Back rowers Beau Robinson and Radike Samo have re-signed with Queensland for another two seasons.

Two of the stars of the Reds' 18-13 Super Rugby final win over the Crusaders on Saturday night, Samo and Robinson will remain in Brisbane until at least the end of 2013.

"We came to an agreement with both players midway through the regular season, but chose to hold off on officially announcing it to avoid the distraction and to ensure we remained focused solely on winning the Super Rugby competition," Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said in a statement.

"That has now been accomplished and, with their selection for the Wallabies, it's an opportune moment to publicise the good news.

"Retaining our talent is a major priority that we invest a lot of time in, so it's pleasing to see both Beau and Radike recognise the systems we have in place and choose to remain with us in the coming years."

Robinson and Samo were instrumental figures in the Reds' record-breaking 2011 season and were duly rewarded with Wallabies selection in the 40-man squad announced for the upcoming Test against Samoa and the Tri-Nations series.

Robinson initially joined the Reds during the off-season without a full-time contract, although his work ethic at training and stand-out play on the field resulted in the 24-year-old earning a place in the contracted squad.

"It's a fairytale story and it means a lot to be part of what we've achieved. It's pretty special," Robinson said.

"We've got a useful squad and have been able to retain a lot of the boys again, so we have some interesting times ahead."

Samo first played for the Reds in late 2010 to cover their mounting injury toll late in the season, when his performances in the final two matches were noticed and rewarded by McKenzie with a contract for this year.

Fijian-born Samo continued his stellar play throughout the course of this season and has been recalled into the Wallabies' squad, seven years after making his Test debut for Australia against Scotland.

"Winning a Super Rugby final is something you never forget and there are some exciting times ahead for the Reds," Samo said.

"It was good to be part of this season and the boys are looking forward to playing together again next year."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, brisbane-4000

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